More than six thousand poor residents in four villages in Davao Oriental are “deeply moved” to have received “outpouring government goods and services right on their doorsteps” during the Nagkakaisang Lingkod-Bayan ng Davao Oriental (NLD) Barangay Outreach Caravan.
A flagship program of Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang, the caravan aims to bring government services closer to the people.
The latest recipients of the program are the villages in the City of Mati, namely Barangays Culian and Sanghay on April 19, and Barangays Libudon and Danao on April 20.
The caravan saw the participation of twenty-six agencies from the National, Regional, Provincial, and Local level that have converged and offered social, medical, veterinary, entrepreneurial, and consultation services.
Residents of these villages who are mostly farmers say they are overwhelmed of the help, especially now that weather extremes have drastically affected their crops. “Seeing all these goods and services is truly a relief,” said one farmer.
“This is my first time to receive free goods and services from the government and I am deeply moved because they really came here to serve us. We can’t even afford to buy sufficient rice because my husband is an underpaid laborer in a farm. It’s like receiving gifts right in our yard,” says Mayet Basa, a mother of two primary students and a one year-old baby girl.
The Punong Barangays here underscored that NLD is “an example of the province’s good governance worthy of people’s appreciation and gratitude.”
“This is the most fortunate occasion for us. We are in dire need of these services and the government has made us overwhelmed,” said Anecito Genardino, Punong Barangay of Culian.
Putting social services as one of the major concern in these areas, food packs, day care school supplies, school bags and supplies were distributed.
The advocacy on public health was likewise intensified. Aside from free medical consultation, check-up, and dental services, tarpaulins which promote public health awareness such as teenage pregnancy, AIDS, ill effects of cigarette smoking, and rabies awareness were displayed on the venue of the two-day caravan.
Diosdado Pahid, the Punong Barangay of Sanghay said that “bringing the government at the grassroots level is really commendable.”
While the villages are primarily dependent on agriculture as a major source of income, the agriculture sector has also been given priority. Seedlings of cacao, mangosteen, durian, coconut, and banana cardava were distributed to farmers in the four villages. Seeds of corn and vegetables, and thousands of tilapia fingerlings were likewise distributed.
Inaccessible No More
During the caravan, Governor Dayanghirang has announced that a road project amounting to P246 million will be implemented covering the National Highway and the interconnecting road of Culian and Sanghay.
Also, P86 million was allocated for completion of the road concreting in Libudon and Danao. He said that these road projects will pave way to the continued delivery of government services to these villages.
Villagers who have long been suffering from armed struggle due to the area’s inaccessibility for public services will finally be addressed, says Punong Barangay of Danao Clemente Gubalane.
As partner of the provincial government in reaching out to these conflict-affected areas, Col. Reuben Basiao, the Commander of the 701st Brigade of the Philippine Army, has urged the residents here to cooperate with the government’s strengthened efforts towards peace and development. He added that the Philippine Army will always open its door to the insurgents who want to return to the folds of the government.
The Governor has also asked the peoples’ unity as “the residents’ participation is the key to attaining true and long-lasting peace”. (Riza M. Golez/PIO DavOr)
